Pharmacology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Pharmacology is a rigorous scientific discipline dedicated to understanding how drugs interact with living organisms, from molecular mechanisms to whole-body physiological responses. This field explores the origins, chemical makeup, biological impacts, and clinical applications of pharmaceutical agents, preparing students for advanced roles in research, healthcare, and drug development.
- Pharmacodynamics: Examines the biochemical and physiological effects of drugs on the body, including how drugs produce their actions at target sites.
- Pharmacokinetics: Focuses on the movement of drugs within the body, covering absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion processes.
- Toxicology: Investigates the adverse effects of drugs and chemicals on biological systems, emphasizing safety evaluation and risk assessment.
- Drug Therapeutics: Studies the principles and practices of using medications to prevent, treat, or manage disease conditions effectively and safely.
- Drug Action and Mechanisms: Explores how specific compounds influence cellular and molecular pathways to elicit therapeutic or side effects.
- Bodily Responses to Drug Events: Analyzes the complex physiological and biochemical reactions that occur following drug administration.
- Cellular Proliferation and Differentiation: Investigates how drugs influence cell growth, development, and specialization in tissues and organs.
- Apoptosis: Studies programmed cell death and how drugs can modulate this process in disease contexts such as cancer or neurodegeneration.
- Cell Biology: Provides foundational knowledge of cellular structure, function, and signaling pathways relevant to drug targeting.
- Medicinal Chemistry: Combines principles of chemistry and pharmacology to design, synthesize, and optimize drug molecules for improved efficacy and safety.
- Drug Interactions: Evaluates how combinations of medications affect each other’s pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in clinical settings.
Pharmacology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Pharmacology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Pharmacology degrees, including Natural Sciences Managers, Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary and Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 599,850 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers 11-9121 | $161,180 | $79,830 - $239,200 | 100,870 | $77.49 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1071 | $105,620 | $51,760 - $239,200 | 229,720 | N/A |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists 19-1042 | $100,590 | $61,860 - $168,210 | 156,300 | $48.36 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other 19-1029 | $93,330 | $54,500 - $159,780 | 59,710 | $44.87 |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1042 | $83,460 | $50,760 - $169,560 | 53,250 | N/A |
Salary Comparison
Pharmacology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $77,793 in Louisiana to $135,342 in California—a 74% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 599,850 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Pharmacology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 51 institutions offering Pharmacology programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Pharmacology is found at University of California (UCSB), Santa Barbara (57 graduates), Ohio State University, Main Campus (38 graduates), Georgetown University (GU) (22 graduates), University of Michigan (U‑M), Ann Arbor (22 graduates), and New York University (NYU) (22 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 483 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Admissions | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California (UCSB) |
Bachelor's
|
57 | N/A | Santa Barbara, California | Public | ucsb.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Master's
|
38 |
SAT: 1330-1480 ACT: 29-32 |
Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| Georgetown University (GU) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
22 |
SAT: 1390-1550 ACT: 32-34 |
Washington, District of Columbia | Private | georgetown.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
22 |
SAT: 1350-1530 ACT: 31-34 |
Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
22 |
SAT: 1480-1570 ACT: 33-35 |
New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| Northeastern University (NU) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
20 |
SAT: 1460-1550 ACT: 33-35 |
Boston, Massachusetts | Private | northeastern.edu |
| CUNY York College |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
19 | SAT: 990-1210 | Jamaica, New York | Public | york.cuny.edu |
| The University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) |
Master's
|
17 | N/A | Memphis, Tennessee | Public | uthsc.edu |
| Drexel University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
15 |
SAT: 1230-1430 ACT: 27-33 |
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
| University of California (UCI) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14 | N/A | Irvine, California | Public | uci.edu |
| Tulane University of Louisiana |
Master's
|
14 |
SAT: 1390-1510 ACT: 31-33 |
New Orleans, Louisiana | Private | tulane.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14 |
SAT: 1400-1540 ACT: 31-34 |
Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14 |
SAT: 1150-1360 ACT: 24-29 |
Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14 |
SAT: 1500-1570 ACT: 34-35 |
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| Weill Medical College of Cornell University (WCMC) |
Doctorate (R)
|
11 | N/A | New York, New York | Private | weill.cornell.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Doctorate (R)
|
11 |
SAT: 1370-1530 ACT: 30-34 |
Chapel Hill, North Carolina | Public | unc.edu |
| Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
11 |
SAT: 1030-1270 ACT: 22-30 |
Richmond, Virginia | Public | vcu.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Doctorate (R)
|
10 |
SAT: 1310-1480 ACT: 27-31 |
Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) |
Doctorate (R)
|
10 |
SAT: 1430-1540 ACT: 32-35 |
Cleveland, Ohio | Private | case.edu |
| University of Vermont (UVM) |
Master's
|
10 |
SAT: 1250-1420 ACT: 29-32 |
Burlington, Vermont | Public | uvm.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
8 |
SAT: 1160-1420 ACT: 21-30 |
Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus |
Doctorate (R)
|
7 |
SAT: 980-1220 ACT: 21-27 |
Denver, Colorado | Public | ucdenver.edu |
| Duke University |
Doctorate (R)
|
7 |
SAT: 1510-1570 ACT: 34-35 |
Durham, North Carolina | Private | duke.edu |
| University of Virginia (UVA) |
Doctorate (R)
|
7 |
SAT: 1410-1530 ACT: 32-34 |
Charlottesville, Virginia | Public | virginia.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
7 |
SAT: 1360-1510 ACT: 28-32 |
Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
6 |
SAT: 1530-1580 ACT: 34-35 |
Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| Columbia University in the City of New York |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
6 |
SAT: 1490-1570 ACT: 34-35 |
New York, New York | Private | columbia.edu |
| Saint Louis University (SLU) |
Doctorate (R)
|
5 |
SAT: 1210-1430 ACT: 26-31 |
Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | slu.edu |
| Vanderbilt University (VU) |
Doctorate (R)
|
5 |
SAT: 1510-1560 ACT: 34-35 |
Nashville, Tennessee | Private | vanderbilt.edu |
| Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) |
Doctorate (R)
|
5 | N/A | Houston, Texas | Private | bcm.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Doctorate (R)
|
5 | N/A | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| Yale University |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
4 |
SAT: 1500-1580 ACT: 33-35 |
New Haven, Connecticut | Private | yale.edu |
| Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
4 |
SAT: 1040-1230 ACT: 21-28 |
Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Doctorate (R)
|
4 |
SAT: 1400-1520 ACT: 32-34 |
Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| MCPHS University (MCPHS) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
4 |
SAT: 1080-1340 ACT: 23-33 |
Boston, Massachusetts | Private | mcphs.edu |
| University of Miami (UM) |
Doctorate (R)
|
3 |
SAT: 1330-1470 ACT: 30-33 |
Coral Gables, Florida | Private | miami.edu |
| University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) |
Doctorate (R)
|
3 |
SAT: 1120-1340 ACT: 25-32 |
Chicago, Illinois | Public | uic.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Doctorate (R)
|
3 |
SAT: 1130-1320 ACT: 22-28 |
Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| Upstate Medical University |
Doctorate (R)
|
3 | N/A | Syracuse, New York | Public | upstate.edu |
| Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) |
Doctorate (R)
|
3 | N/A | Portland, Oregon | Public | ohsu.edu |
| Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) |
Doctorate (R)
|
3 | N/A | Charleston, South Carolina | Public | web.musc.edu |
| Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC-S) |
Doctorate (R)
|
3 | N/A | Shreveport, Louisiana | Public | lsuhs.edu |
| Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC-NO) |
Doctorate (R)
|
2 | N/A | New Orleans, Louisiana | Public | lsuhsc.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Doctorate (R)
|
2 |
SAT: 1270-1480 ACT: 28-33 |
New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
| Thomas Jefferson University |
Master's
|
2 |
SAT: 1150-1350 ACT: 27-32 |
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | jefferson.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPR‑MSC) |
Doctorate (R)
|
2 | N/A | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Public | rcm.upr.edu |
| Loyola University Chicago (LUC) |
Doctorate (R)
|
1 |
SAT: 1160-1340 ACT: 27-31 |
Chicago, Illinois | Private | luc.edu |
| Southern Illinois University |
Doctorate (R)
|
1 |
SAT: 910-1140 ACT: 20-27 |
Carbondale, Illinois | Public | siu.edu |
| University of Louisiana (ULM) |
Doctorate (R)
|
1 |
SAT: 1050-1350 ACT: 19-24 |
Monroe, Louisiana | Public | ulm.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Doctorate (R)
|
1 |
SAT: 1210-1380 ACT: 27-32 |
Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| Maryville College |
Bachelor's
|
1 |
SAT: 1018-1188 ACT: 20-28 |
Maryville, Tennessee | Private | maryvillecollege.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Pharmacology programs
How much can I earn with a Pharmacology degree?
Salaries for Pharmacology graduates vary by role and location. Natural Sciences Managers earn a median of $161,180 annually, while Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $105,620. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $135,342 compared to $77,793 in Louisiana. Approximately 599,850 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Pharmacology programs?
Currently 51 accredited institutions offer Pharmacology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of California (UCSB), Santa Barbara (57 graduates), Ohio State University, Main Campus (38 graduates), and Georgetown University (GU) (22 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Pharmacology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 503 in 2010 to a peak of 502 in 2020, before declining slightly to 483 in 2023-24. This represents a 4% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Pharmacology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Natural Sciences Managers, Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, and Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists. Related occupations employ approximately 599,850 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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